On Wednesday afternoon Renée Slegers spoke to the media ahead of a trip to Everton in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Friday night. The Arsenal head coach had endured one of her toughest games in charge on Sunday after Arsenal crashed out of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at the quarter final stage.
The Halfway Line were in attendance at the Sobha Realty Training Centre to hear from Slegers ahead of a busy period for the Gunners.
‘We looked like ourselves again’ says Slegers on training ahead of Everton test
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Looking ahead to Everton on Friday night Slegers was able to confirm: “The same players available at the moment. We have one more training to go.”
Even with most of Arsenal’s first team players available, in Everton Arsenal face a team whose season is on a similar trajectory to their own, overcoming a difficult start to impress, despite a few hiccups along the way. Slegers was asked about the challenge that Everton represent, she thoughtfully replied:
“They are a challenging team, one of the most unpredictable technically. So we have to be prepared. It was 0-0 at home. I think we did a lot of things quite well in that game. We just didn’t score. They’ve recruited new players. I think they’re strong at the moment. They’re strong at their home ground. So we know it’s a big challenge, but obviously we also believe in what we’re doing and our training today on the pitch we looked like ourselves again. So that’s very positive.”
‘The girls are determined to show something better and so am I’ pledges Slegers
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Arsenal were left stunned on Sunday as with just over 10 minutes to play Liverpool took a fortuitous lead against the North London side, which ultimately Arsenal were unable to overcome. The result means that Arsenal are out of the FA Cup for another season, meaning that it is now nine years since Arsenal have won the competition, a competition they have historically won more than anyone else.
Slegers was asked to reflect on the defeat on Sunday afternoon, she reported:
“So very disappointing. Not what we wanted, not the performance we we wanted at all. The players were angry on Monday, and we want to do better as collective moving forward, but we can’t impact that anymore. It’s behind us. So now we want to look forward and that’s on Friday, a very important game against Everton in the league, and we know we’re still active in Champions League as well. So we have a big month coming up”
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Slegers was asked how difficult the result was to take, she explained: “I think this one was, was hard on us, because we see that we leave the FA Cup. And so you could see the response from the players. They were very angry, disappointed. They wanted more. And so I see that in a positive way, because I think those emotions and that frustration can lead to motivation. And that’s what I saw today, because we were off yesterday, and we’re back in and I think we all look refreshed, and it was one of the better sessions I’ve had so far here, so the girls are determined to show something better, and I am as well.”
And as for the question on the lips of every Arsenal fan, Slegers was asked if she felt winning silverware this season was still possible, she firmly responded:
“Yeah, I do. We have two competitions where we’re still active and we want to push and do everything, and get silverware, because it’s very important for the club.”
‘It’s good it’s called out’ Slegers backs Hinds
On Sunday afternoon Liverpool defender Taylor Hinds was subjected to sexually inappropriate comments from a match going spectator. Hinds bravely reported this to the officials and the offending individual was removed from the stadium but damage had already been done.
Slegers was asked for her thoughts on the incident on Sunday, she replied:
“It’s obviously not what we want in society at all, and not in our women’s football context. So I think it’s good it’s called out. And from what I understood, both Liverpool and Arsenal are investigating. And I think what Taylor [Hinds] did was the right thing.”
Looking at the defeat ‘objectively’ and ‘constructively’ key for Slegers
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Since Slegers took the Arsenal job a key aspect of her coaching methods has been to encourage a mentality of problem solving among her squad. The Halfway Line asked her just how important that mentality of problem solving was going to be for the rest of the season, Slegers replied:
“It’s important for us in games to solve the problem that’s in front of us, and we can all agree that we didn’t succeed last Sunday. So then it’s about, what do we need to focus on and emphasize moving forward? We need to leave the emotions from last Sunday behind us and look at it more objectively and constructively.”
Slegers continued: “I think we did that. We had good meetings on Monday, we had a day off yesterday, and came back in. And I feel that the whole staff and players are refreshed and looking forward and energized today. So that’s very positive.”
‘She’s saved us many times’ Slegers hails Arsenal’s van Domselaar
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On Sunday afternoon Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar had a couple of difficult moments with the ball at her feet, before, in an unfortunate turn of events Sophie Roman Haug’s shot cannoned off the post, ricocheting off the back of van Domselaar and into the Arsenal net.
The goal would prove fatal to Arsenal’s FA Cup chances this season and the Dutch goalkeeper seemed to take it particularly to heart. The Halfway Line asked whether Slegers had spoken with her and how she was dealing with the disappointment, Slegers replied:
“Daphne has been great for us. I think that goal is very unlucky and I think that’s part of football that is unpredictable, and things can happen, and unfortunately, they got the goal that way. Daphne saved us so many times, so she’s been very important for us.”
Slegers continued: “I know Seb [Barton], our goalkeeper coach has had a very constructive conversation with her, so she shouldn’t be too hard on herself. And I know all players are, because all players want to try and impact what they can impact within their control.”